OF
HARMONY BAPTIST CHURCH
PREAMBLE
For the more certain preservation and security of the principles of our faith and to the end the this body may be governed in an orderly manner consistent with the accepted tenets of the Missionary Baptist Denomination, and for the purpose of preserving the liberties inherent in each individual member of this church and the freedom of action of this body with respect to its relation to other churches of the same faith, we do declare and establish this constitution.
I. NAME
This body shall be known as the Harmony Baptist Church, Leeton MO.
II. THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
To be found in Pendleton’s Church Manual.
III. CHURCH COVENANT
IV. CHARACTER
Section 1. Policy: Its government is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and co-operation which are common among Baptist Churches.
Section2. Doctrine: It accepts the scriptures as its authority in matters of faith and practice. It’s understanding of Christian truth as contained there-in is in essential accord with the belief of the Baptist Churches as indicated in the Articles of Faith herewith.
V. FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION
It shall be voluntarily associated with the Johnson County Baptist Association.
BY-LAWS
Article I. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Qualifications: The membership of this church shall consist of such persons as confess Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior, and who (1) after due examination by the church as to their Christian experience, and, if coming from other churches, as to their letters of dimission and recommendations or satisfactory substitutes therefore, (2) have been accepted by vote of the church, and having been baptized, (3) entered into its covenant.
Section 2. Duties: Members are expected first of all to be faithful in all the duties essential to the Christian life; and also to attend habitually the services of this church, to give regularly for its support and its causes, and to share in its organized work.
Section 3. Rights: Such members as are in full and regular standing, and do no hold letter of dimission, and such only may act and vote in the transaction of the church.
Section 4. Quorum: Twenty percent of the active membership shall constitute a quorum; not less than seven members present for business.
Section 5. Termination: The continuance of membership shall be subject to the principles and usages of the Baptist Churches, and especially as follows:
(a) Any member in good standing who desires a letter of dimission and recommendation to any other Baptist church shall receive it upon their request.
(b) If a member in good standing requests that they be dropped from the church rolls, this may be done after the church has patiently and kindly endeavored to secure his continuance in its fellowship.
(c) The church may also after due notice and hearing and kindly effort to make such action unnecessary, terminate the membership of a person because he has become an offense to the church and its goo name by reason of immoral or unchristian like conduct or by persistent breach of his covenant vows.
(d) The membership of no person shall be terminated (except by letter) at the meeting when the recommendation for such action is made.
(e) All requests for termination of membership (except by letter or actin looking thereto) shall be considered first by the Pastor and the deacons who shall make recommendations to the church.
Section 6. Restoration: Any person whose membership has been terminated may be restored by vote of the church if for any offense upon evidence of their repentance of reformation, or if on account of continued absence, upon satisfactory explanation.
Article II. CHURCH OFFICERS
The Officers of the church shall be as follows:
1. Pastor
A pastor is to be chosen and called by the church whenever a vacancy occurs. His election shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose of which at least one week’s public notice shall be given. The deacons shall seek out a suitable pastor, and their recommendation will constitute a nomination. The deacons shall bring before the church only one name at a time. Election shall be by ballot and there must be an affirmative vote of three-fourths of those present. The church may release the pastor by a majority vote in regular business session after all members have been notified one week in advance. The relationship shall continue one month after such vote and notice is taken. The pastor shall preside at all meetings of the church except where it is specified otherwise. The pastor shall have charge of the welfare and oversight of the church and keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursement. All disbursements are to be paid by check. He shall at each regular business meeting render and itemized report of receipts and disbursements for the preceding period. Within 30 days after the end of the church year he shall render the church and annual report showing the total amount of receipts and an itemized statement of all disbursements. Prior to this report, all his accounts shall have been audited by the deacons and trustees and signed by them. All accounts kept by the treasurer shall be considered church property and shall be open to church or individual inspection at any time. The annual report, after being adopted by the church shall be given to the church clerk, who shall keep it as a permanent record. They shall consider it a part of their job to promote in every way scriptural giving on the part of the entire church.
2. Budget Secretary
The treasurer shall act as the Budget Secretary and shall keep records on the amount appropriated for each item in the annual budget and shall stop all payments over this amount; unless authorized by the church.
3. Music Director
They shall be elected annually and shall have the charge of all music in the church and shall work with the pastor in selecting suitable music. They shall have charge of the music in the worship service.
4. Chairman of Ushers
He shall be elected each year and shall see to the greeting and introduction of visitors, the prevention of interruptions and distractions and similar needed services.
5. Officer of Church Organizations
All organizations of the church shall be under control of the church, all officers being elected and/or approved by the church, and shall make reports whenever the church so asks. It is understood that the pastor is ex-officio head of all the organizations named, and his leadership is to be recognized in them all.
(a) The church shall elect a nominating committee composed of two people elected by the church and the pastor as the chairman of said committee. The committee shall bring before the church the said committee. The committee shall bring before the church the nominations for the officers and teachers of the church organizations.
(b) Women Missionary Union (WMU) Officers. The General Officers shall be approved by the church, including the leaders of the auxiliary organizations.
(b) Brotherhood Officers. The General Officers shall be approved by the church.
Article III. COMMITTEES
(1) The “Pastor’s Council” shall consist of the chairman of the Deacons, The Sunday School Superintendent, The President of the WMU, Director of the Training Union, President of Brotherhood, Chairman of Trustees, and the Church Treasurer. This committee shall be called by the pastor and will be an advisory committee to him.
(2) Committee of Trustee shall be elected to serve 3 year terms and there shall be 3 of them. One term will expire every year. They shall hold in trust the property of the church. They shall have the actual care of the place of worship, but shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer, any property without the specific vote of the church.
Article IV. CHURCH FINANCE
1. The finance committee shall prepare and submit to the church for approval at its annual business meeting an all-inclusive budget, indicating by items the amount needed and sought for all local expenses and purposes, and in like manner for all denominational or other approved non-local causes.
2. The Pastor’s council shall serve as the Finance Committee. They shall call upon the other members of the church as they see fit. Their duties as the Finance Committee shall be:
(a) To supervise the raising of all money in the church and to have supervision over the expenditure of that money.
(b) No contract for supplies, materials, or services, pledging the credit of the church, shall be made except upon approval of the pastor and direct vote of the church.
(c) All expenditures shall be made only upon authorization and direct vote of the church; save that the church may give general authorization to the deacon for normal supplies and general items.
(d) All payments for such supplies, materials, and services shall be made by the church treasurer upon approval of the pastor and direct vote of the church.
(e) All money collected by an through the church organizations shall be duly recorded by said group and turned into the church treasurer, with the exception of the WMU, which shall keep their own records and shall supply a record to the treasurer at the end of the year.
(f) The church must approve all special offerings taken by an organization of the church.
Article V. MEETINGS
Section 1. For Worship:
(a) Public services shall be held on the Lord’s Day and on Wednesday evening, if desired.
(b) The Lords’ Supper shall be celebrated on the First Sunday in each Quarter.
(c) Occasional religious meetings may be appointed by the pastor at his discretion, or by vote of the church.
Section 2. For Business:
(a) The pastor can, when requested by the Deacons, or Trustees call for a special meeting from the pulpit, the object of the meeting being clearly stated in the call.
(b) Paid helpers shall be elected by church upon nomination of the Deacons, who shall also recommend their salary; this will be done under the general direction of the pastor, subject to approval of the church.
(c) Special meetings of the church can also be called by the clerk if they have the written or verbal consent of five members and they notify the church of such by at least one week before the meeting; notice to be also given in the Lord’s Day Service directly before the meeting.
(d) The annual Business meeting of the church shall be held on the first Wednesday in August, at which time the annual reports shall be given and the church officers elected.
(e) The regular business meeting shall be held on the first Sunday in each quarter. (Jan-Apr-Jul-Oct-)
Section 3. Deacons:
(1) Number and Election- The church shall elect three or more deacons as needed for the welfare of the church.
(2) Duties: In accordance with the New Testament, the deacons are to be the servants of the church.
(a) They shall serve as a council of advice and conference with the pastor in all matters pertaining to the church and they must be zealous to guard the peace of the church.
(b) In counsel with the pastor and with the guidance of the “Holy Spirit” they are to have oversight of the discipline of the church in administering which they are to be guided always by the principles set for in Matthew 18:15-17, I Cor. 5:9-13, and Thess. 5:12-14. The deacons shall be free to call upon any member of the church to aid in discipline and the members are admonished to give all possible assistance.
(c) The deacons shall serve as a pulpit committee; and upon the absence of the pastor, with the counsel of the pastor, they shall provide for pulpit supplies. If in any case the church is without a pastor, the deacons will arrange the temporary ministry and arrange the nomination of a permanent pastor.
(d) The deacons shall with the help of the Trustees, provide for a yearly audit of all books and accounts of the church.
Article VI. MODERATOR
The Moderator shall be the pastor. In the absence of the pastor, the Chairman of the Deacons shall preside; or in the absence of both, the clerk shall call the meeting to order and a moderator pro-tem shall be elected.
Article VII. CLERK
The clerk shall be elected at the annual business meeting. They shall keep in a suitable book of record of all the actions of the church, and shall keep a register of the names of members, with dates of admission and death, together with a record of baptisms. They shall preserve all communications and written official reports, and give legal notice of all meetings where such notice is necessary.
Article VIII. TREASURER
The church shall elect annually a church treasurer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive, record, and pay out, all money or things of value paid or given to the church.
Article IX. DISCIPLINE
Section 1. Should any differences arise between church members, they shall follow the rules given by our Lord in Matthew 18.
Section 2. Should any case of gross breach of covenant, or of public scandal occur the deacons shall endeavor to remove the offense; and if such efforts fail, shall report the case to the church.
Section 3. If the church vote to entertain a complaint which must be made in writing, it shall appoint a reasonable time and place of hearing and notify the persons involved, furnishing him with a copy of the charges.
Section 4. At the hearing the accused may call to his defense any member of the church who must then testify the truth, If the accused does not show up at the meeting, it will proceed without him.
Section 5. If an adverse decision is reached, the church can declare the person no longer a member.
Section 6. In case of grave difficulty, the church will be ready to ask for advice of a mutual council.
Section 7. Inactive Roll: If any person should not attend the worship services for a period of one year, the following procedure shall be followed.
(a) The deacon shall endeavor to bring the person back into the worship services. If this cannot be done, they shall report the matter at a regular business meeting.
(b) The Pastor, Sunday School Superintendent, and Clerk are to check the list for inactive members.
(c) If a request is received by the church for a letter from another church for a person on the inactive roll, then this letter shall be granted with a statement of the personal status on our roll.
Article X: THE CHURCH
It shall consist of the time between 1 Aug – 31 Jul.
Article IX AMENDMENTS
members being notified of this meeting in advance with a purpose clearly stated in the notice.
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